Ocean Giants Come In For Stingray Snack

Wednesday, February 7, 2007
NEW ZEALAND - A pod of orca cruised into Pilot Bay yesterday, providing a spectacular encounter for a number of boaties.

A pod of about four or five of the marine mammals were seen in Pilot Bay shortly after the Waitangi Day dawn service on the top of Mauao.

Several boaties, whose vessels were of a similar size to the orca, came in to get a closer look at the whales.

According to Department of Conservation ranger Stephanie Twaddle, it was not uncommon to see orca around Tauranga.

"Orca come into Tauranga Harbour to feed on stingrays - it's a great feeding ground," she said.

Ms Twaddle said anyone who spots orca should record information including their description, their location, what they appeared to be doing and the direction in which they were headed and then report it to DOC.

"They are always of interest and help increase our knowledge of their movements around New Zealand," she said.

Orca are also known as killer whales, however, despite their name they are not true whales, they actually belong to the dolphin family. Orca are found in all oceans of the world, particularly in cooler temperatures and polar regions. Orca are often seen in New Zealand's coastal waters and have a reputation as being a fierce ocean predator. Despite this they have never been recorded attacking humans.

Orca are most likely to be seen off the Bay of Plenty, East Cape and Hawke's Bay in June and from October to December. It is thought there are 150 to 200 orca living in waters around New Zealand.

Boaties encontering orca are advised to operate their boat slowly, taking care not to obstruct their path or separate mothers from calves. They should also avoid sudden noises that could startle the orca.

Source: The Bay of Plenty Times